Bermuda Customs have landed a unique agreement with British Airways for a joint crusade against drug smuggling.

The two organisations are to sign a special Memorandum of Understanding -- a coalition to crack down on international traffickers.

And the agreement marks the first time the Island's Customs chiefs have forged a drugbusting deal with an airline.

Collector of Customs Bill LeDrew said the link-up was agreed as part of a programme started by the World Customs Organisation.

He said: "The programme brings trade, carriers and Customs together through a memorandum of understanding where we agree to suppress smuggling, share information and provide training.'' Mr. LeDrew said the anti-drug deal with British Airways included Customs training for airline staff on how they can help search officers.

Customs staff will also learn about "aircraft construction'' and the hidden parts of a plane where drugs could be concealed.

"It's a co-operative agreement to work together,'' said Mr. LeDrew. "It is not a deal which requires the airline to become a law enforcement agency because that is not their job.

"We have some other similar agreements with other corporations but this is the first time we've ever linked up with an airline.'' British Airways' director of operations, Michael Street, is flying out to Bermuda late next month to sign the accord with Customs.

Timothy Walker, the deputy chairman of UK Customs and Excise, will also visit the Island to recognise the agreement.

Philip Troake, British Airways' Bermuda General Manager, said: "The main thrust is towards drug interdiction. This is an effort to stop the flow of drugs into Bermuda.

"The Customs authorities obviously have an interest in airlines because that's one of the ways in which drugs are smuggled.

"And their interest is in gaining information about how drugs are smuggled.'' He said British Airways were governed by UK data protection laws which did not allow certain details about passengers to be divulged.

But Mr. Troake added: "We are restricted in terms of the data which is held in our computer files.

"But certain information can be disclosed under certain conditions and this Memorandum of Understanding sets a framework for that.'' He said British Airways had signed similar agreements with Customs authorities in several countries around the world.

"But this is a first for Bermuda,'' he added. "The company is always interested in preventing the dissemination of drugs.

"I, myself, am totally opposed to drugs and I would like to be able to assist as much as I can in this sort of thing, although we have to consider that there's a legal framework dictating exactly what we can and cannot do.'' The Memorandum of Understanding will be signed on Febnruary 26.

Customs and Police are to publish a joint one-year report on drug enforcement next month.

The document will include details of Operation Bermuda Triangle, co-ordinated with US authorities, which busted a cruise ship drugs smuggling ring between New York and Bermuda.

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